Noise barriers help keep sound under control

JOSHUA POLSON/jpolson@greeleytribune.com
A window catches the reflection of oil drilling operations next to a home southeast of Greeley on Tuesday morning. Rules proposed by the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission would require oil and gas companies to locate future drilling operations at least 500 feet from any occupied building.

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With thousands of oil and gas rigs operating around the clock every day, one might think that Weld County would be a noisy place to live.

Actually, it’s not.

The reason is that there is a state regulation — Rule 802 — that spells out what oil and gas companies must do to mitigate the sound that originates from their drilling sites.

The oil and gas industry takes that rule seriously, too.

“Managing the noise of oil and gas operations is one of the most important things that we do to be good neighbors,” Doug Flanders, the director of Policy and External Affairs for the Colorado Oil and Gas Association, said.

“When drilling is under way, there are a variety of mitigation measures — such as technical controls and sound barriers — that reduce operational noise,” Flanders said. “We manage noise controls to the preferences and needs of an individual operation and community.”

Controlling noise at drilling sites isn’t easy to do. There are a number of areas at the site that can create loud banging, clanking sounds and even vibrations, not to mention the dozens of noisy trucks and vehicles that enter and leave the site each day.

That’s why oil and gas drilling companies seek companies that specialize in noise abatement. While there are a number of companies that specialize in noise control associated with the oil industry, there are a few that get a lot of the work.

One of those companies that does a lot of business in northern Colorado is Environmental Noise Control, Inc./Behrens and Associates, a California-based company with additional offices in Texas and Pennsylvania.

“Noise abatement is a very large portion of what we do, about 70 percent of our business,” Don Behrens, president of Environmental Control, Inc./Behrens and Associates, said.

Behrens said his firm is currently working in Colorado with such oil companies as Noble Energy, Anadarko Petroleum and PDC Energy. His task is to make sure his clients are in compliance with the guidelines of Rule 802.

Behrens said his company does that by offering acoustical sound control and noise mitigation systems for rent or purchase. His work also includes noise code and design analysis, field measurement and monitoring and noise impact modeling.

Behrens said no two rig sites are alike. Because of that, each presents unique challenges for his company.

“Sites can vary wildly, from urban to pasture,” he said.

So, how does his firm adjust to the challenges?

“One of the first things we do is establish the ambient (sound) conditions before drilling,” Behrens said. “We establish a baseline to identify the (mitigation) targets we need to hit.

“Then we do noise source modeling based on topography and land cover. That way we can predict the propagation of noise and know what the impact will likely be.

“Next, we work (to erect) various mitigation systems: first source noise controls, like mufflers and engine enclosures. We also set up barriers to absorb noise around the rig floor.”

One of the most common noise abatement devices that Behrens uses is a fireproof, sound-proof barrier wall. It comes in 8-foot sections and in heights of 16, 20 or 24 feet. It has doors and clearly-marked exits throughout and is especially effective to cut down the noise associated with hydraulic fracturing, or fracking.

“We have them all ready to go for rapid deployment,” Behrens said.

Oil companies can purchase or rent the barrier walls.

When the noise abatement equipment is in place, Behrens said his company does a compliance verification by installing a meter and monitor.

“It’s a web-based system that allows us to get good data in real-time so we can make real-time changes. It’s a real game-changer.”

Behrens said his monitoring equipment also records audio of the oil rig equipment and can help identify the source of noises, as well as monitor vibration levels.

“It really helps to reduce their (operating) cost,” Behrens added.

We manage noise controls to the preferences and needs of an individual operation and community. — Doug Flanders, director of Policy and External Affairs for the Colorado Oil and Gas Association